Cocaine-infused leather prompts arrest of gang smuggling drugs from Latin America to Greece
They said the method used by the gang signaled a shift in methods for smuggling the drug from South America to Europe.
Eleven people have been arrested so far, including nationals form Bolivia and Spain, after police monitored the suspects for months following a tip-off by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the officials said.
The gang had set up a laboratory in Athens to extract the cocaine from the leather, which had been dried with salt, they said.
Police confiscated at least 300 packages with salt mixed with cocaine and estimated the total amount of cocaine in the lab to be more than 800 kg (1,764 pounds).
The suspects are expected to appear before a prosecutor to respond to the charges on Friday.
This is Greece's second case involving cocaine poured into garments. In late May, police dismantled a ring which was smuggling clothes soaked into liquid cocaine from Ecuador.
Reporting by Yannis Souliotis; Writing by Renee Maltezou, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
40 minutes ago
- CTV News
Motorcyclist clocked at 120mph in Barrie neighbourhood: police
A motorcycle was impounded after the rider was clocked speeding in Barrie, Ont. A motorcyclist in Barrie is off the road for the next month after officers say the bike was caught travelling more than double the posted speed limit in a residential area. Police say officers clocked the motorcycle speeding 120 kilometres per hour in a posted 50 zone on Harvie Road Thursday afternoon. The rider was stopped and handed a stunt driving charge, which carries an automatic 30 day licence suspension and 14 day impoundment. Under the Highway Traffic Act, stunt driving charges can be laid for speeds of 40 km/h or more over the limit in zones with a posted limit under 80 km/h. Penalties include automatic vehicle impoundment, a licence suspension, hefty fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, and the possibility of up to six months in jail or a two-year licence suspension upon conviction.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Standoff in Eastern Passage, N.S., shuts down streets
Police responded to a standoff in Eastern Passage, N.S., on July 4, 2025. (Source: X/@hfxfirefighters) Police have closed off a section of Cow Bay Road in Eastern Passage, N.S., where a man has barricaded himself inside of a home on Orion Drive Friday evening. There's a heavy police presence in the area, including both Halifax Regional Police and RCMP, along with Halifax Regional Fire crews and paramedics. Police are asking neighbours in the area to shelter in place as a precaution but say there's no threat to public safety or to anyone outside of the home. Cow Bay Road between Samuel Danial Drive and Dyke Road is closed and police are asking people to avoid the area. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Armed Forces member re-arrested on child pornography charges: Winnipeg police
An Armed Forces member has been arrested at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg for the second time this year on child pornography-related offences. On July 2, the Winnipeg Police Service's internet child exploitation unit executed a search warrant at a residence on the base. A 31-year-old man was arrested for possessing and accessing child sexual abuse images, as well as breaching conditions of his release order, according to police. Multiple electronic devices were seized. The same man was previously arrested on child pornography-related offences in April and released on conditions prohibiting access to the internet and anyone under 18. The charges have not been tested in court. CTV News has reached out to the Department of National Defence for comment.
